Phalaenopsis plant named ‘SUPHAL1203’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  cultivar named ‘SUPHAL1203’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact plant form and significant high flower count per plant. Flowers have light red-purple background coloration and a darker blotch. The new variety is a  Phalaenopsis , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘SUPHAL1203’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a new cultivar of Phalaenopsis hybrid. Thenew variety is the product of a planned breeding program. The newvariety originated as a seedling from the crossing of the unpatented,proprietary seed parent Phalaenopsis ‘EF’ with the unpatented,proprietary pollen parent referred to as Phalaenopsis ‘WEQS5’. Thecrossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse inChonburi, Thailand in May of 2002.

The new variety was first selected by the inventor, ThumrongSuphachadiwong, a citizen of Thailand, in December of 2008, in aresearch in Chonburi, Thailand. After identifying the new variety as apotentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidentialtesting and propagation of ‘SUPHAL1203’ assessing stability of theunique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ was firstperformed at a commercial laboratory in Chonburi, Thailand by tissueculture in December of 2008. Access to all plants was restricted, asplants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissueculture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, andnot accessible to the public. Through subsequent propagation, multiplegenerations have been reproduced, which have shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SUPHAL1203.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘SUPHAL1203’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsiscultivar:

-   -   1. Significant high flower count per plant.    -   2. Unusual compact plant shape.    -   3. Petals of a light red-purple background color and a darker        red-purple blotch.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ are similar to the seed parent,Phalaenopsis ‘EF’ in most horticultural characteristics. The newvariety, however, has faster growth habit than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SUPHAL1203’ are similar to the pollenparent, Phalaenopsis ‘WEQS5’ in most horticultural characteristics.Plants of the new variety, however, produce a brighter color than thepollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘SUPHAL1203’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to theunpatented commercial variety Phalaenopsis ‘BUENOS AIRES’ in mosthorticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, producesshorter, more erect, lighter green leaves than those of ‘BUENOS AIRES’.Additionally, the new variety has a lip and apical lobe of differentshape and coloration than that of ‘BUENOS AIRES’. Also the new varietyproduces a slightly smaller flower than ‘BUENOS AIRES’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SUPHAL1203’ grown in a commercial greenhouse inZuidbroek, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 18 months oldafter deflasking, shown planted in an 11 cm container.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SUPHAL1203’ plants grown in a greenhouse inZuidbroek, the Netherlands. Temperatures ranged between 18° C. and 28°C. day and night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given tothe plants. During bright Summer conditions, shade was given. Duringdark Winter months, supplemental light was given at unspecified amounts.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘SUPHAL1203’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Tissue culture.-   Time to initiate roots: About 21 days at approximately 28° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting/liner: About 26 weeks at    approximately 18° C. to 28° C.-   Root description: Thick (typical for Phalaenopsis) and rounded,    average diameter: 5 mm, colored greyed-green; near RHS 198D.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Monopodial.-   Height from to of soil line to top of foliage: Average 11.0 cm.-   Height from to of soil line to top of flowers: Average 38.5 cm.-   Plant spread: At widest, average: 26.5 cm; at narrowest: 23.0 cm.-   Normal pot size: 11 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Number of leaves per plant: Average 6.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.        -   Average length.—Approximately 13.1 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 4.9 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Narrow obovate.        -   Aspect.—Horizontal; young leaves in an average angle of 45°            to soil level.        -   Apex.—Unequal acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate. Sheath length: Average 1.3 cm. Sheath width:            Average 1.2 cm. Sheath color: Yellow-green; near RHS 148B,            strongly tinged greyed-orange; near RHS 177A.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, glossy, slightly furrowed.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, glossy, very slightly            furrowed.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Yellow-green; near RHS            144A, outer margin greyed-purple; near RHS N186C. Young            foliage under side: Yellow-green; near RHS 146C, strongly            tinged greyed-purple towards the margins; near RHS N186C.            Mature foliage upper side: Yellow-green; near RHS 144A outer            margin greyed-purple; near RHS N186C. Mature foliage under            side: Yellow-green; near RHS 146C, outer margins moderately            to strongly tinged greyed-purple; near RHS N186C.        -   Venation.—Type: Camptodromous. Venation coloration:            Yellow-green; in between near RHS 144A and 146B, main vein            on under side greyed-purple; near RHS N186C, especially in            young leaves.-   Petiole: No petioles present.

FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flower bud:    -   -   Rate of opening.—Approximately 5 days after stage described.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.1 cm wide and 1.3 cm high.        -   Shape.—Broad ovate.        -   Color.—Purple to greyed-purple; in between near RHS N77D and            186C, striped red-purple; near RHS 70B, under side            greyed-white; near RHS 156C.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 34.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Aspect.—Approximately 65° angle to rosette.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Texture.—Smooth, not very glossy.        -   Color.—Yellow-green; near RHS 146A, heavily marbled            greyed-purple to brown; in between near RHS 186C and 200C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flowers per stem.—Average 40.        -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Panicle.        -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 22.3 cm (measured from            lowest branching of panicle to top of inflorescence).        -   Inflorescence width.—Approximately 22.2 cm.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Flower type.—Single zygomorphic. Shape: Wide elliptic.            Length (height): Approximately 4.7 cm. Width: Approximately            4.6 cm. Depth: Approximately 3.0 cm. Fragrance: No            fragrance. Persistent: Non-persistent. Quantity of petals:            2.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: One petal on each side of the column.            Length: Approximately 2.5 cm. Width: Approximately 2.4 cm.            Shape: Deltoid. Apex: Rounded. Base: Cuneate. Margin:            Entire. Texture: Upper (forward) surface: smooth, dull,            moderately velvety. Texture: Lower (back) surface: smooth,            dull, moderately velvety. Color: When opening, forward            surface: Purple; near RHS N78B, margin white, near RHS            N155C. When opening, back surface: Purple; near RHS N78D,            margin white, near RHS N155C. Fully Opened, forward surface:            Purple; in between near RHS N78B and N78C, margin white,            near RHS N155D. Fully Opened, back surface: Purple to            purple-violet; near RHS N78D and N80D, margin white, near            RHS N155D. Fading, forward surface: purple-violet; near RHS            N80D, margin white, near RHS N155B. Fading, back surface:            purple-violet; near RHS N80D, margin white, near RHS N155B.            Color Venation Fully Opened, forward surface: No venation            visible. Fully Opened, back surface: Main vein colored            red-purple; near RHS 72B.        -   Labellum.—Shape: Three-parted. Length: Approximately 2.0 cm.            Width: Approximately 1.6 cm. Texture: Smooth, dull, slightly            velvety. Tip: Cleft. Base: Cuneate. Color: When opening,            forward surface: Central lobe red-purple; near RHS 60C,            colored purple towards the top; near RHS N78A, outer tip            white; near RHS N155D, margins near the base colored orange;            near RHS 26A. Lateral lobes red-purple; near RHS N78A,            lighter towards the top; near RHS N78B, base white; near RHS            155A, dotted red-purple; near RHS 59A. Callosities yellow;            near RHS 3C, dotted red-purple; near RHS 59A. When opening,            back surface: Central lobe purple; near RHS 76C To 76D,            margins of lower half colored yellow-orange; near RHS 16B,            flushed red-purple; margins of upper half red-purple; near            RHS 72B, top white; near RHS NN155D. Lateral lobes            red-purple; near RHS N78A to N78B, base white; near RHS            155D. Fully Opened, forward surface: Central lobe            red-purple; near RHS 60C, colored purple towards the top;            near RHS N78A, outer tip white; near RHS N155D. Lateral            lobes red-purple; near RHS N78B, base white; near RHS N155A,            dotted red-purple; near RHS 59A. Callosities yellow; near            RHS 5A, dotted red-purple; near RHS 59A. Fully Opened, back            surface: Central lobe purple; near RHS 76C To 76D, margins            of lower half colored yellow-orange; near RHS 16B, flushed            red-purple; margins of upper half red-purple; near RHS 72B,            top white; near RHS N155D. Lateral lobes red-purple; near            RHS N78B, base white; near RHS N155A. Fading, forward            surface: Purple-violet; near RHS N80B. Fading, back surface:            Purple-violet; near RHS N80C to N80D. Color Venation Fully            Opened, forward surface: No venation visible. Fully Opened,            back surface: No venation visible. Margin: Entire.-   Sepals:    -   -   Quantity.—3.        -   Appearance.—Smooth, dull, moderately velvety.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.7 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to elliptic.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Broad cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Smooth, dull, moderately velvety.        -   Color.—Fully Opened, forward surface: Lower half purple; in            between near RHS N78C to N78D, veined darker; near RHS N78B,            upper half white; near RHS N155D. Lower half of lateral            sepals dotted red-purple; near RHS 71A. Fully Opened, back            surface: Purple; near RHS 77C and 77D, with a red-purple            main vein; near RHS 72B, margin white, near RHS N155C.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Angle.—Approximately 85° to peduncle.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Texture.—Smooth, moderately glossy.        -   Color.—Yellow-green; near 146C, distal part purple; 75B, 75C            and 75D.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   -   -   Stamens, style and stigma fused into column.—Yes.        -   Column length.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Column diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Column color.—Upper side purple; near RHS N78B, under side            lighter; near RHS N78D.        -   Ovary.—Position: Inferior. Diameter: Approximately 0.3 cm.            Color: Green-white; near RHS 157D.        -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange; near RHS 21A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to the    normal diseases found in Phalaenopsis has been observed.-   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Normal for species.-   Fruit/seed production: No fruits/seeds detected to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plantnamed ‘SUPHAL1203’ as herein illustrated and described.